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Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Kelly off the mark on Milan

Wed 3rd Feb 2016, 14:57

Steven KellySteven Kelly
© Photo Healy Racing

Amateur Steven Kelly recorded his first winner 'on the track' when giving Angus Milan a well judged front-running ride in the novice handicap hurdle at Down Royal this afternoon.

The Milan gelding disputed for much of the two-mile event in a tactical four-runner affair.

11/8 favourite Dragon Khan looked a big danger on the long run to the last but Angus Milan responded well for Kelly and stayed on strongly to record a three-and-three-quarter length win.

The gelding, trained by the rider's Uncle Noel, was repeating his success at the course on St Stephen's Day.

Noel Kelly said: "That's definitely his trip. Probably his trip was two-and-a-half last year but he is just better handicapped.

“He could step up to 2m2f or two-and-a-half, he's not short of toe. He'll not run for five weeks now.

"It's very tricky to give a jockey instructions in that type of race. He did a good job as I didn't want it turning into a sprint.

"Stevie is 17 and from Draperstown, Co Derry. He's my brother's son and works full-time for me.

“He rides out every day for me. That's his first winner. He did a lot of pony racing, more in Scotland than Ireland."

Kelly rode one point-to-point winner and had around 20 successes in pony racing.

(Quotes by Michael Graham)

About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.